Destructive Fishing

Destructive fishing efforts are present on coasts in many developing countries. This is done via the use of dynamite to catch fish; where the dead fish float to the surface and the reefs are destroyed in the process. Collapse of whole reef slope sections is frequently observed due to dynamite fishing techniques (Riegl & Luke, 1999.).

Fishermen using dynamite to catch fish (Photo by Thomas Heeger: Philippines)

Where explosions occur there is usually a reduction in fish abundance (McAllister, 1988.); possibly due to reduction in areas to live without protection from predation. Herbivore loss can be critical for reef health (Steneck, 1993). The absence of herbivores increases algal abundance and leads to a reduction of coral settlement (Bohnsack, 1993)

Saila et al. (1993) has produced a recovery model and calculates that diverse reefs can take up to 100 years to recover to its original diversity after dynamite or other destructive fishing methods have been used. However this regeneration could be speeded up via the use of transplanting corals (Clark & Edwards, 1993.).

Corals destroyed by dynamite in American Samoa (Photo by Nancy Daschbach courtesy NOAA)

Legislation has been put in place to reduce destructive fishing around coral reefs. The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) promotes reef conservation by implementing chapter 17, of agenda 21 (Dight, & Scherl, 1997.). This is the “protection of the oceans, all kinds of seas, including enclosed and semi-enclosed seas, and coastal areas and the protection, rational use and development of their living resources” (UN, 1992.).